Monday, December 13, 2010

A few issues in addition to budget constraints: the “lamps” needed to be cordless AND very tall in order to have a dramatic effect on the tent space, and also to ensure that the lamp shades don't get in the way of guests having conversations.

So… Ikea to the rescue, as usual! You can get one of two styles of big white lamp shades for the tops ($6-9 each) and tall Blomster floor block candle holders ($20 each) to act as the sturdy base (they’re heavy!). Then, you can create “pull cords” for the lamps using beading and attaching pendants at the bottom..

Of course one of the most important things for a lamp to do is to give off some light, and that was one of the trickiest parts! You can use battery-operated LED lights that are usually used for paper lanterns & set these in small clear glass cylinder vases at the top of the candle holder. The cylinder vases were secured so the candle holder with 3D glue dots and hidden by the lamp shade. These gave off just the right amount of “mood lighting” for a night time cocktail party!.

*****.

Budget - About $40 per centerpiece for 8 of these tall guys, and all of the elements are completely reusable!

P.S. These lamps & cocktail table linens are 100% stark white, but the night lighting makes them appear a little more cream in the photos.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

I was browsing Save on Crafts and came across these cool vases that would be great for Halloween! They are 23 inches tall, so they would make a BIG impact with a candle inside. The birds and trees might even be reflected throughout the room. Each vase is $15.99.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Pingg.com has the cutest invites and e-vites for your football-watching or Halloween party this fall. Artists, photographers, illustrators and stationery companies submit their work and allow you to choose the designs you like best.

Choose your design, then customize the invite with your own event details. You can either choose to send the invites through the mail or email.

Monday, August 2, 2010

When Mary Coffee, a senior, went to talk to her general studies adviser to discuss choosing a major, she had no idea what she wanted to do. As the adviser started throwing out ideas, Coffee was surprised to hear her say “floral design.” After declaring her major in horticulture, she entered the American Institute of Floral Design Student Competition and won third place for her design of a centerpiece for a sweetheart table.

“I felt like [horticulture] fell in my lap,” Coffee said. “I love it now. When I was living in the sorority house my sophomore year, I always gave out flowers to girls who were struggling with something. Then, I was talking to my adviser and she said ‘you can do anything you want; you can be an engineer, you can do floral design,’ and I just knew it was for me.”B.J. Dyer, chairman of the American Institute of Floral Design Student Competition Committee, said the judging for the competition was technical, with points given for methodical use of color, depth, line, balance and proportion.

“In the category where Mary Coffee took her trophy, the competitors were asked to design a centerpiece for a sweetheart table, intended for a small wedding reception table seating just a bride and groom,” Dyer said.

Novice members of active Student American Institute of Floral Design Chapters with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and completion of 15 semester units were eligible for the competition.

“It was cool representing A&M at such a big organization and seeing how well-known A&M is there,” Coffee said. “My favorite part of the whole week was the last night. They turned all the lights down and had spotlights on all the centerpieces. It was amazing.”

There are four areas of the contest: buffet centerpiece, bridal bouquet, napkin rings and sweetheart centerpiece. Mary said she was able to win third place for the sweetheart centerpiece because her nerves had settled by the time she began work on it.

“Judges strive to set aside subjective opinions about the designs and will give high points for a well-executed design that may not be to their personal taste,” Dyer said.

Jim Johnson, distinguished lecturer in the horticulture department, was one of Mary’s teachers and helped her prepare for the competition.

“Mr. Johnson gave me all these flower magazines, and I would go through them everyday and keep getting different ideas,” Coffee said. “You know ahead of time what the grading rubric is, and I would practice.”

Johnson, who received the “distinguished service to the floral industry” award during his career, said the student chapter at A&M has been in existence since 1980, and students go to the competition every year.

“We have had in years past several winning students,” Johnson said. “So it’s the focus of our club. We work making floral designs, and the money we save is used to support and pay for the trip.”

The club creates buffet pieces and table centerpieces for banquets for the Office of the President, the Association of Former Students and many other departments and organizations.

“It is a way for the students to get some real-world practice for what they want to do in the future,” Johnson said.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Recently, I was asked to bring two of my favorite recipes to my friend Tailer’s bridal shower. What a cute idea! Give someone a cute recipe card box and some of your favorite recipes printed on these cute cards. Print some blank ones for the bride to write on as well.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Decorating your food display is a great way to dress up any event. Don't overlook this opportunity to wow your guests! Ask your caterer whether you can provide the decorations for them to place food on. Most won't mind!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Flowers are everyone’s favorite for centerpieces, but can cost a fortune. For the event designer on a budget, I suggest using a different item for the main part of the centerpiece, and then adding a few single-stem flowers to small vases to place around it.

Ideas: For the main part of the centerpiece, put a pillar candle in a lantern, float a candle in a glass cylinder, or put curly willow in a large vase. Then put a single stem of your favorite flower in three tiny vases around the table. Use larger blooms such as roses, hydrangea or gerbera daisies for a bigger impact.